International meeting on Olympism in Besancon
The IOC and the universities of the world meet and share their research on Olympism with my paintings as a background.
This amazing story began a few months ago when I met Éric Monnin, a former top judoka of the Douillet generation and Vice-President of the University of Franche-Comté, via a social network. A sports fanatic, Éric also has a doctorate in sociology and works with the IOC on Olympic education, a subject that is particularly close to his heart.
He contributed to organising the Olympic torch relay in Greece to celebrate the friendship between France and the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games.
When Éric asked me to exhibit at two events organised at the University of Franche-Comté in Besançon on the subject of Olympism, I accepted immediately. These events brought together 60 universities and researchers from all over the world working on sport and Olympism, representing a total of more than 30 nationalities. They provided an opportunity to create collaborations, present research results and highlight sport and Olympic values. I’m delighted to have been able to contribute, at my own level, to the success of this event by bringing a different perspective through my painting.
Many thanks to Éric Monnin, Sylvie, Antoine and all the team at the Université de Franche-Comté CEROU for their amazing welcome and wonderful encounters in connection with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. I would also like to thank Dr Angela Schneider, Canadian rowing medallist, Stephan Wassong from the University of Cologne, IOC member and sports historian, Nelson Todt from the University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, Doctor and President of the Brazilian Pierre de Coubertin Committee, Gilles Lecocq, Doctor of Sociology, mental trainer and President of the Société francophone de philosophie du sport and all the others for these fabulous exchanges. I really had a fabulous time with you.
The 2 Olympic Games events organised in Besançon
16th International Symposium on Olympic and Paralympic Research
The 4th International Symposium of Olympic Study and Research Centres
A wide range of research topics
01
Inclusion in sport
02
Handisport
03
The Games legacy
Brazilians, Japanese, Chinese, Americans, Canadians, Australians and many other nationalities were present during the four days spent in Besançon. All this work around the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the legacy of the work of Baron Pierre de Coubertin is fascinating. There are so many subjects to study around Olympism, and on this occasion I discovered an incredibly rich ecosystem, as well as people who are totally committed to Olympic values.
And although not everything is perfect, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games are sometimes criticised, I remain convinced that the values they embody are of immense benefit to our society.
Photos of the symposium and colloquium ....
And as Éric told me some time ago, the Olympic and Papalympic Games are an opportunity for people from all walks of life to meet up, people who were never meant to cross paths. This story began when we met at the Mayotte departmental delegation in Paris, during a conference on Olympism given by Éric, where I was present and took the opportunity to get him to sign his book.
